The Programming and Technical Assistance Unit was established in August 2006.  The unit was founded on the principle of quality improvement. The responsibility of the Programming and Technical Assistance (PTA) Unit is to assess programmatic areas of strengths and needs and provide technical assistance on the implementation and delivery of evidenced-based practices and best practices, and to review the progress made to ensure youth are provided effective delinquency interventions and programming. Technical Assistance Specialists work with programs on-site.  The Programming and Technical Assistance Unit is fully operational with a ten-member team which includes five technical assistance specialists who are located throughout the state. 

The PTA Unit provides programs with a variety of services including, but not limited to:

Providing staff training on:

• Effective behavior management strategies
• Effective group facilitation skills
• Implementation of evidence-based and best practices
• DJJ Basics of Motivational Interviewing and Stages of Change
• Risk Assessment training (PAT, PACT, and Residential PACT)

 Technical Assistance Specialists provide the following additional services:

• Facilitate evidence-based groups
• Develop program/unit action plans to implement evidence-based practices
• Assist with a re-design of the program’s behavior management system
• Provide fidelity monitoring of evidence-based curricula
• Document progress of technical assistance provided in JJIS’s Program Monitoring and Management module
• Maintain records of the Department’s recognized qualified trainers and trained facilitators